THE clock is ticking down towards curtain up - and reheasehals are well underway - as award-winning Thurrock Courts Players approach their next production at the Thameside Theatre.

They will be on stage from Wednesday, 11 February to Friday, 13 Feburuary with the modern comedy 'The Unfriend'.

Fresh from the West End in 2022-23, the play has an impressive catalogue of creatives behind it.

Written by Steven Moffat (Sherlock and Dr Who), directed by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Bookish, League of Gentlemen), starring Reece Shearsmith (League of Gentlemen, Inside No9), and later Lee Mack (no credits necessary!) the play takes a satirical look into middle-class England's disastrous instinct to always appear nice.

While on holiday Peter and Debbie befriend Elsa: a lusty, Trump-loving widow from Denver, USA. She's less than woke but kind of wonderful, so they agree to stay in touch - because no one ever really does, do they?

But when Elsa then invites herself to stay they decide to look her up online. What began as a casual holiday friendship is suddenly a threat to all their lives.

Peter and Debbie now face the ultimate challenge of the modern world - how do you protect all that you love from mortal peril without seeming a bit impolite?

Taking on the lead role of Peter is Ian Benson, best known locally for his portayal of Rene in the recent smash hit Allo Allo shows and also in other Courts producstion.

As a fan of the original production Ian said: "I'm really looking forward to this show, the writing is a gift for the cast. I've been a fan of Steven Moffat since Coupling and Sherlock, so it's a dream to act his work.

"Also, getting to step into the shoes of Reece Shearsmith is a great honour, as he's one of my all time heroes.

"My character Peter is an easily irritated, middle-aged man, frustrated by everything – who knows why I was cast!"

Allo Allo won Courts the Noda award for Best Drama in District 10 at the 2025 awards, where they swept the board of nominations – and it has just been confirmed that Allo Allo 2 is in the running for the award this year, along with the highly-praised Rise and Fall of Little Voice.

The Unfriend is filled with non-stop laughs, awkwardness and the most relatable teenagers you will see on a stage.

Tickets are available now via this link.